The Idea of Gangsters in America
analytical Essay
912 words
Deep down inside everyone has the same desire – to do what one wants whenever he or she chooses to and to not have to worry about anyone or anything else. Along with this desire to be able to do what ever it is that one wishes to at any given time, a person wants to be successful at what they do. The type of success that a person wants may be measured in money, property, fame, or even the entourage that follows him or her. This kind of lifestyle is only truly lived by a certain kind of people – gangsters and mobsters. For the rest it is just a dream to be able to live such a life, but for gangsters and mobsters this lifestyle is reality. But these gangsters can go around doing anything they want without the fear of consequences, which would, for most people, lead to long-term prison sentences. We are commonly shown in many movies and television shows that gangsters can just walk into an alley and beat up whoever they wish and be able to leave as if nothing ever happened. In “The Gangster as Tragic Hero” by Robert Warshow and “Our Mobsters, Ourselves: Why The Sopranos Is Therapeutic TV” written by Ellen Willis the gangster’s middleclass part of his or her lifestyle is brought out along with this “dream” reality at the same time. When we hear the words gangster or mobster, the first picture that comes to mind is bloodshed and violence. But Warshow shows us in his writings that this is not necessarily the case by giving us examples from the movie The Godfather of how the family is very similar to a normal everyday household yet very different at the same time. The family has this unique kind of courage that allows them to do what they want without having to care about what they can lawfully do. The family does not openly talk abou... ... middle of paper ... ...done so much and lived the “dream” life that portrayed Americanism from a different view than what most other books or movies show it to us as. Doing every little crime they pleased, fulfilling every wish they had ended up in there being nothing more left to do. Gangsters and mobsters both live the true American dream that all of society has to do what one wants to when one wants to. Being successful in their way of life is what allowed them to be able to do what they wanted and not have to care about anyone stopping them. But too much of this success is what leads to their permanent fall. If a majority of society had such success to be able to do what they pleased when they pleased, would it be a good thing? Would it help them achieve the happiness they long for? Or would it just lead to their fall much quicker than the mobsters and gangsters in movies and on TV.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how gangsters and mobsters live a dream-like lifestyle without fear of consequences, which leads to long-term prison sentences.
- Analyzes how warshow shows us that the family is very similar to a normal everyday household but very different at the same time.
- Analyzes how the godfather and his sons were successful in terms of money, fame, and entourage. they lived a life that all others can only dream about.
- Opines that mobsters and gangsters live the american dream that all society has to do what one wants to, but too much of this success leads to their permanent fall.
Related
- analytical
- explanatory
- opinionated
- narrative
- argumentative
- America’s Mafia: From Real Life to Big Screen And Back Againanalytical essayAmerica’s obsessions with the mafia and mafia-style films have existed for decades. The ability for an audience to connect on a deep level with a character of shady morals and seedy behavior is a requirement for gangster films to be successful. Hollywood has been able to successfully take real life mobsters and make them larger than life on the big screen. Though not all mafia films created are taken directly from real life, most movies have some essence of reality buried within the plot. To understand this obsession with the mafia, it is necessary to understand the beginning of the Mafia’s presence in America.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that america's obsessions with the mafia have existed for decades. hollywood has successfully taken real life mobsters and made them larger than life on the big screen.
- Explains that the great depression and prohibition helped usher in a new kind of violent criminal: the mobster.
- Analyzes how mario puzo's novel, the godfather, opened a new generation to an authentic and compassionate view of italian-american organized crime.
- Analyzes how the sopranos, created by david chase, presented gangsters in a different light than had been previously seen.
- Analyzes how the sopranos portrays an italian-american family involved in the mob yet maintaining a family life and responsibilities. in 2004, an article was posted on msnbc in response to the movie shark tales.
- Opines that the portrayal of italian american women is less than desirable and did cause controversy. in public enemy (1931), the most remembered scene was filmed with james cagney smashing a grapefruit in the face of mae clark.
- Opines that women should not be touched by another man within the mafia family. the godfather portrays carmen as a weak, nibble fool who is abused by her husband physically and emotionally.
- Opines that women have played key roles in the mafia. carmine galante was chauffeured by his daughter nina, jennifer graziano was arrested for drug dealing while a graduate student at new york university, and bonnie parker of "bonnie and clyde" fell victim to the life of organized crime.
- Explains theoharis, athan g., poveda, rosenfeld, and powers. the fbi: a comprehensive reference guide.
- Explains how a senate committee was set up to investigate organized crime in america in 1950, despite his fear that it had to justify its existence by doing something sensational. the valachi papers and mario puzo's novel established the mafia in mainstream pop culture
- Analyzes how hollywood's portrayal of a real-life mobster, including al capone, and john gotti, has changed over the years.
- Cites the website of the society for the study of multi-ethnic literature of united states (melus).
- Cites gus tyler's book, organized crime in america: a book of readings, and the national criminal justice reference service.
2446 wordsRead More - The Rise of Organized Crime in the United Statesexplanatory essayOrganized crime has been around since the 1880’s. It was not until the 1920’s that organized crime began to develop into a bigger problem. Following the victory of Allied Forces during World War I, more and more immigrants began to immigrate into the United States. Some of these immigrants would become the leaders of crime organizations. The “Noble Experiment” would also help organized crime to gain momentum. Criminals were able to provide the people with something they wanted, and with alcohol being illegal, they were able to make smuggling into a big business. The rise of organized crime began, due to the recent waves of immigrants from Europe, and also that the United States tried to limit the consumption of alcohol.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that organized crime has been around since the 1880s, but not until the 1920s that it began to develop into a bigger problem.
- Explains how dr. rush's an inquiry into the effect of spirituous liquors on the human mind and body inspired groups against alcohol to form.
- Explains that the anti-saloon league was formed in 1890 to oppose the saloon and its impacts on communities. the asl supported politicians who were "dry" and influenced local elections.
- Explains that the movement for national prohibition began with a resolution to the constitution that was suggested at the asl’s jubilee convention in columbus, ohio.
- Narrates how the asl fought to make america a better place by banning alcohol, yet they brought about an era full of crime. with prohibition in place, bootleggers, crime lords and rum runners made large profits from the alcohol business.
- Explains that the bootlegging industry in the prohibition era is best known for its ability to make moonshine.
- Explains that organized crime rose because of bootlegging and rum-runners, but it didn't gain much momentum until prohibition. the rise of crime bosses in chicago began with james "big jim" colosimo.
- Describes altman, linda, and twenty-first century books' the decade that roared: america during prohibition.
- Explains behr, edward, prohibition thirteen years that changed america, new york, ny: arcade publishing, 1996.
- Explains that blumenthal, karen, bootleg murder, moonshine, and the lawless years of prohibition.
- Explains newton, michael, the encyclopedia of gangsters: a worldwide guide to organized crime.
- Explains okrent's last call: the rise and fall of prohibition.
- Explains how organized crime rose to the top during the prohibition era because of the profits made from bootlegging.
1809 wordsRead More - Gangs Across Americaopinionated essayGangs Across America The definition of a gang is a group of people using a unique name and identifiable marks or symbols who claim a territory or turf as their own (Edgar 94). Gangs have been a part of American culture since the beginning of our nation. Starting with secret societies like the Free Masons and evolving into violent street gangs such as: the Crips or Bloods. The evolution of gangs has been fast and is rising quickly. People feared the gangs of the nineteenth century, but the gangs today pose a greater threat (Edgar 91).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that having ex-gang members counsel youths about gangs is life-like and influential to a youth's mind. ismael cisneros and oscar a. grande were sentenced to life in prison for murder.
- Opines that if someone has a problem, they should man up and take care of the problem themselves instead of resorting to people with guns.
- Explains that gangs have been a part of american culture since the beginning of our nation. they are complex criminal organizations dealing in weapons trafficking, gambling, robbery, etc.
- Opines that it takes courage to get out of a gang because of what the other members think and might do if they think it's disrespectful.
1653 wordsRead More - Al Capone And The Prohibition Eraexplanatory essayAnother common theme of this wildly intoxicated era was that of the gangsters. In the twenty-first century when the word gangster is uttered, often times images of minorities in baggy clothes comes to mind. However, when discussing the Prohibition Era the lives of gangsters are seen as much more glamorous, and none were more glamorous than that of the ultimate American gangster, Al “Scarface” Capone. Capone’s name brings to mind images of pinstripe suits, underground bars, bootleggers, flappers, and gun fights. His image embodies that of the Prohibition Era and his influence throughout society carries through it. Alphonse Capone is the ultimate American gangster.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the prohibition era was a time of booming economies and vast wealth.
- Explains that gangsters were a common theme of the wildly intoxicated era. alphonse capone is the ultimate american
- Explains that capone's parents were recent italian immigrants looking to start fresh in america, the land of opportunity, and would never begin to suspect that they had birthed a boy who would later become america’s most notorious gangster.
- Explains that capone began his gang activity with the brooklyn rippers and forty thieves juniors while trying to work legitimate jobs as a cover for his less-than-legal side work.
- Narrates how capone made an effort to make an honest life for his new with mae coughlin. he moved his family to baltimore where he began working as a bookkeeper.
- Explains that capone left his family in brooklyn to work and earn money for them to travel later on. while working under torrio, he advanced quickly through the ranks and was able to boost his bootlegging, prostitution, and gambling businesses.
- Describes how capone's number two man machine gun jack mcgurn took some of his gunmen and posed as police and brutally murdered many of bugs moran’s men.
- Explains that president hoover wanted to quell the lawlessness of chicago and ordered different factions of the federal government to make the capone case their top priority.
- Describes how the intelligence unit of the internal revenue service (irs) put special agents out into the field to build up a case against capone and his massive amounts of income tax evasion.
- Narrates how capone pled guilty to tax evasion in exchange for a two-and-a-half year prison sentence. the case went to trial and quickly became an international affair.
- Explains that the infamous al capone was incarcerated in one of the most notorious federal prisons in united states history, alcatraz.
- Explains that capone had contracted syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease that if not treated properly can lead to dementia, paralysis, blindness, and death.
- Describes how alphonse capone spent his entire life working to improve his life from immigration status. he used force, bribery, and any other means to achieve any end that he desired.
1351 wordsRead More - Al Caponeexplanatory essaynow the story behind him. What made him to be the most feared gangster in the city of Chicago? How did this kid from a rough neighborhood and no money grow up to have $60,000,000? I’ve always been fascinated with organized crime but had never been taught anything in school about it. This report gave me the chance to explore something interesting and also educational. The more I researched Al Capone, the more I wanted to learn about him. He may look like an innocent Italian at a glance, but he has done a lot of crime in the city of Chicago.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that al capone is one of the most recognized names in american history. he ran the city of chicago with illegal activities.
- Narrates how they researched al capone, the most feared gangster in chicago, and how he grew up to have $60,000,000.
- Explains that they knew there would be more than enough information about al capone's life. they also found web pages on the st. valentine’s day massacre and a haunting of his ghost.
- Analyzes how al capone's life started when he was born on january 17, 1899, in brooklyn, new york. he was a genius when it came to street smarts.
- Narrates how al capone became a member of the bim booms gang and became an expert knife fighter.
- Describes how capone was picked up by the five pointers, the most powerful gang in new york city.
- Describes how torrio set capone out to do all of his dirty work, including beating up loan shark victims, pimping girls, and being a vicious fighter with fists and knives.
- Narrates how al capone was promoted to bartender at the inn, where he made a remark about the sister of frank galluciano and slashed his face. he was married to mae coughlin, and johnny torrio moved operations to chicago.
- Describes how capone was an aggressive bartender at torrio's newest club, the four deuces, and hospitalized many drunks. he was repeatedly arrested for assault, but was always released thanks to his police connections.
- Describes how capone strangled at least twelve men while working at the four deuces. the bodies were dragged to the basement through a trap door. chicago was being run by the gangster named "big jim" colosimo.
- Explains how johnny torrio grew jealous of colosimo and soon sent for his most loyal hit man, al capone. "big jim" was killed on the night of may 11, 1920.
- Explains that torrio imposed a peace treaty on the other gangs, which lasted until the o'banion-genna war. before retiring to italy, he turned over leadership to capone.
- Opines that capone was the leader of chicago, but it had its downfalls. he was shot at in streets, had poison slipped into his food at clubs, and numerous other occasions.
- Describes the st. valentine's day massacre in north chicago, where seven well-dressed men were found riddled with bullets inside the s.m.c cartage co. garage.
- Explains that capone's downfall was caused by one of his own business agents who ran his dog and horse race tracks. eddie o'hare informed the irs where books reflecting his income could be seized.
- Explains that capone started his sentence in an atlanta prison and was transferred to the most brutal prison in america, alcatraz. they used terrible methods to have vengeance against the prisoners.
- Explains that capone spent three stretches in the "hole" during his years at alcatraz.
- Explains that capone was arrogant when he arrived at the prison. he had no idea the rule of silence applied to him.
- Narrates how capone's attempts on his life, beatings, a stabbing, and the prison routine began taking an awful toll on him. he was excused from going outside and joined the four-man prison band
- Explains that capone's mind snapped after five years and he would refuse to leave his cell and go to the mess hall to eat. he would crouch down in the corner and babble to himself in baby talk.
- Describes how al capone spent the last portion of his time at alcatraz in the hospital ward. he was being treated for an advanced form of syphilis, which he had been carrying since his youth.
- Describes how capone's body was removed from his estate in florida and transferred back to chicago. even in death, he had gunmen legions to protect him against unseen enemies such as ghosts.
- Explains that capone had an eventful life and was responsible for the death of over 500 people. he had the right personality and connections to be at the top.
2660 wordsRead More - John Gottinarrative essayIf ever there was an incubator for crime it was the Italian Harlem tenements of the South Bronx. In one of those crowded dirty apartments, a young John Gotti seeked an impoverished existence with his parents and eleven sisters and brothers. His father rarely worked and then, only at menial jobs, risking the money that the family did have on gambling.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that "this thing" has changed since they first joined in the 1940's. greed is causing younger members to go into narcotics without the knowledge of the families.
- Quotes kelley, robert j., "organized crime : past, present, and future." usa today.
- Narrates how john gotti grew up in the italian harlem tenements of the south bronx, where he lived with his parents, eleven sisters, and brothers.
- Explains that john gotti understood the value of public relations.
2181 wordsRead More - hlhlanalytical essayIn conclusion, both the film and the movie identified the impact marginalization has on the gang lifestyle. The social disadvantages affect both the home and school environments, depriving young individuals from necessary resources and opportunities. As a result of their marginalization, these individuals unite to battle the constant struggle of gaining respect together, acting in delinquent ways to achieve it. The gang lifestyle as a whole, not only has a negative impact on the individual, but puts their family at risk as well. It is important to provide minority youth with adequate resources and education to help them avoid the gang lifestyle and provide them with a better chance of a more promising future.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the film the interrupters and the book always running provide an insight into the gang lifestyle. both film and book portray the impact of marginalization not only at home but in schools.
- Analyzes how the gang territories of los angeles resulted as a way of expanding the illicit economy to sustain the community.
- Analyzes how the effects of marginalization can be seen in the film. the fuel of violence amongst the gangs was having the opportunity to dominate over someone else.
- Analyzes the negative impact education had on louis, who was marginalized based on where he lived, and how teachers did not know how to handle them.
- Analyzes how the gang members in the interrupters, like louis, did not take school seriously. they were resistant to standardized education and proper english, and developed their own slang to enhance their identity.
1419 wordsRead More - Charles Luciano: An Italian Mobsterexplanatory essayEver since I was a teenager, I partook in criminal activities. In the United States, I rose from a measly criminal, to a crime boss, eventually becoming the father of organized crime in the United States. My name is Charles “Lucky” Luciano, and this is my story.
In this essay, the author
- Describes how they rose from a measly criminal to an organized crime boss in the united states.
- Explains that they were born in lercara friddi, sicily, to antonio and rosalia lucania. a promise of a better life in america led them to immigrate to the united states in 1907.
- Describes how they decided school wasn't for them and started their own gang. they befriended a jewish teenager by the name of meyer lansky and became business partners.
- Describes how they began to associate with future mafia leaders through the five points gang, including vito genovese, frank costello, joe masseria, and arnold rothstein.
- Describes how rothstein gave them the tools necessary to prosper during prohibition and saved them from going under in the criminal community.
- Recounts how their mentor rothstein was murdered over a gambling debt, and they pledged loyalty to masseria, who knew what they were capable of.
- Describes how they became known as the young turks, aware of how their bosses were keeping them poor with their greediness. they envisioned a national crime syndicate where irish, jewish, and italian gangs could work together.
- Recounts how they were able to gain attention in 1929 after being forced into a car at gun point and was beaten and stabbed. the beating led to the media covering it extensively.
- Recounts how they set up a secret deal with maranzano to eliminate their boss, masseria, and split up the italian-american gangs in new york city.
- Describes how they were the dominant crime boss in new york city and the united states. they abolished the "capo di tutti capi" in order to maintain peace between the five families.
- Explains that they replaced the boss of all bosses title with the american mafia commission, the governing body for organized crime, with its main goal being to maintain communication and settle disputes between families.
- Narrates how they got involved with prostitution in the 1930s by taking over brothel operations in new york city. they fled to hot springs, arkansas to avoid being arrested.
- Recounts how they continued to run the crime family, albeit with more difficulty. they relayed orders through vito genovese and frank costello until the u.s. supreme court decided not to review their case.
- Describes how the u.s. government approached them with a deal while they were still in prison. they were released in 1946 on one condition; they couldn't resist deportation to italy.
- Describes how they moved to havana, cuba, where they met with the bosses of major crime families, and befriended frank sinatra, visiting various nightclubs with him. the u.s. government demanded the cuban government deport them.
- Narrates how vito genovese thought he could overthrow the luciano crime family in new york city. he shot and wounded his acting boss, frank costello, causing him to give control of the family.
- Plans to meet with an american producer to discuss plans on making a film biography about them.
1318 wordsRead More - Description and Analysis of the Different Types of Gangs in the USexplanatory essayHistorically, gangs began to develop around the time frame of the 1970’s. Irish gangs have been known to be the first initial gang, followed by the Germans, Jewish, and Italians (Pacheco, 2010, p. 10). Gangs are larger in population and tend to be more prevalent in the United States, compared to other countries. In 2008, statistics showed that there were 20,000 active gangs and more than 1 million gang members in the United States (Pacheco, 2010, p. 12). According to Pacheco (2010) there are different types of gangs. Although these gangs are formed for individual purposes, broken up, they can form a multitude of different types of gangs. There are your traditional gangs (Crips, Bloods). Business, profit gangs, which are generated around financial gains. Hate group gangs, which their purpose is to target different ethnic groups, races or homosexuals. Copycat and delinquent social gangs, which seem to be the least relevant. Street gangs, which are prone to target younger individuals, but the actual ages of the gang members vary. Third generation gangs which are known as “terrorist”. Hybrid gangs are new to this generation, they could be considered the “hipster” of gangs. Then there are prison gangs. They are usually small in population and are structured along an individuals ethnicity (Pacheco, 2010, pp. 12-15). Gangs serve a multitude of purposes for their members. The gang becomes their family. They are able to trust them, rely on them, and the gang gives them a sense of self and importance. Gangs have the ability to offer status, refuge, protection, and opportunity of stigma free life within this population (Tower, 2013, p. 82). In the PBS show Interrupter ex-gang members and ex-gang enforcers joined together ...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that gangs began to develop around the time frame of the 1970’s. they are larger in population and are more prevalent in the united states.
- Opines that the interrupters provide counseling, conflict mediation, safe havens, mentoring, and alternatives to violence in order to help these kids and individuals.
- Explains that latino gangs are primarily based in chicago and new york but they have affiliations across the united states.
- Explains that fetal alcohol syndrome is a pattern of birth defects accompanied by the consumption of alcohol during the mother’s pregnancy.
- Explains that there are currently three states (mn, sd, wi) that have specific laws that pertain to prenatal drug and alcohol users.
- Describes james, s. (director). the interrupters [television webisode]. in pbs.
- Cites pacheco, h. r., and tower, c.
1071 wordsRead More - Gang Membership and Trajectoriesargumentative essayIn the United States gang membership has exploded over the last twenty years. According to 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment, there are approximately 1.4 million gang members, and they account for 48% of all violent crimes and an increase of non-violent crimes nationwide (Wong, Tohn, Hung & Ang, 2013). Participation within a gang increases the likelihood of delinquent behavior and could produce negative effects on future life trajectories. Several theories at present consider antisocial attitudes an underlying factor towards gang membership. Risk factors such as peer association and family have an underlying effect on whether an adolescent becomes a member of a gang. Peers may provide negative influences, including antisocial views and aggressiveness that encourages delinquent behavior if not previously present (Howell & Egley, 2005). Additionally, gangs are no longer thought of as requiring lifelong membership as adolescents frequently transition out of them after one or two years (Howell & Egley, 2005). Transitions are important because they signal that an individual is altering his or her trajectory. Elder (1997) stated that trajectories are age-graded patterns of development with respect to major social institutions such as family, school and work that link “social and psychological states over a substantial portion of the life course” (as cited in Krohn, Ward, Thornberry, Lizotte & Chu, 2011). Numerous risk factors play a significant part in the development of future trajectories.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that in the united states gang membership has exploded over the last twenty years.
- Explains that risk factors for gang membership have been identified at five major levels: individual, family, school, peers and community. early onset of delinquency and antisocial behavior among pre-adolescents could indicate criminality.
- Explains that adolescent's lack of attention or commitment to completion of education, peer association, and community environment have an effect on adolescents, especially in high-crime areas.
- Explains how theories come into play with gang membership and how can they explain changes in future trajectories. thornberry, krohn, lizotte, & chard-wierschem's models of selection, social facilitation, and enhancement account for short/long term association of delinquent adolescents
- Explains that gang membership can impede adolescent development due to antisocial behaviors and weaken social bonds. this impediment induces premature transitions of trajectories.
- Explains that past research has connected risk factors to adolescence delinquency and gang membership. gangs attract adolescents with similar antisocial behaviors and attitudes.
- Concludes that hirschi and gottfredson's self-control theory predicts current gang membership, but it doesn't account for past/future associations.
- Explains that differential association theory provides reason for someone joining a gang, such as companionship, protection from rivals, or feeling of family. gang members trust one another and look for individuals with self-control.
- Explains that past studies have indicated mixed results of predictability of self-control, differential association and gang membership.
- Explains that akers/sutherlands differential association provides predictions for past/future association with gang membership.
- Explains howell, egley, and pyrooz's theoretical and empirical extension of the literature on self-control, differential association and gang membership.
- Explains krohn, ward, thornberry, lizotte, a. j., & chu, r. the cascading effects of adolescent gang involvement across the life course.
- Analyzes the relative impact of gang status transitions: identifying the mechanism of change in delinquency.
1097 wordsRead More